Matthew w



- (No Model.)

M. W. LYNCH.

HORSE BOOT. No. 876,038. Patented Jan. 3, 1888.

Witnesses I 37 ZZM,

l PETERS, Pham-Lilhngrapher. Wlahinginn, n. C.

MATTHEW W. LYNCH,

PATENT @FFICE.

OF MADISON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO DEXTER CURTIS, OF SAME PLACE.

HORSE-BOOT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 376,038, dated January 3,1888.

Application filed November 5, 1887. Serial No. 254,390. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MATTHEW W. LYNCH, of Madison, in the county of Dane and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in. Horse-Boots, and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the figures and letters-of reference marked thereon.

This invention has for its object to improve that class of boots used for protecting the .pastern or fetlock joints of horses, and has for its object to produce a boot which, while it will not be displaced or knocked around when struck .by the other foot, is so fastened or secured in position that it may be quickly and readily applied or removed when desired, but will not become unfastened when in use.

To this end the said invention consists in certain details of construction and combinations of parts, to be hereinafter'described, and pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure'l is a perspective view of a boot constructed in accordance with my invention, the metal stiltening-piece being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is aview of the metal stiffening-piece and hook. Figs. 3 and i are sections taken longitudinally and transversely through the hook and stiffening-piece and straps.

Similarletters of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.

A is the body of the boot, which covers the pastern orfetlock j oint; B B, the straps which pass around the leg above the joint and hold the boot in position. One of these straps, B, is double, and has a piece of stiffening material, preferably metal, 0, secured inside of it by lines of stitching passing around its edges. This stitfening-pieceis of such shape as to conform to the contour of the horses leg, and preferably of sufficient length to extend far enough around the same to prevent all turning or twisting of the boot." About the center of the stiffening-piece, or in such position as to come directly beneath the series of holes E in the strap B, is a groove, F, for the accommodation of the end of book G on strap B. The said hook G, while it may be of any desired form, is preferably made of malleable iron, of the shape shown in Fig.-3z'. 6., with the end 9 turned slightly outward, and with prongs g for securing it to the strap B, as shown.

In applying the boot the attendant places it in position, and,grasping the end of the strap B beyond the hook, draws it as tightly. as de' sired andinserts the hook in the proper hole in the strap B. The end of the hook passing down into the groove in the stift'eningpieoe and being turned slightly outward, the press ure of tbeleather on the portion h of the hook will keep the base or bend in against the stiffening-piece and prevent the accidental unhooking of the device, as will be readily understood by a reference to Fig. 3,wherein it will be seen that, should the hook be moved backward without being drawn positively outward at the same time,the base or bend of the hook will abut against the walls of the hole. This would not be the case were no stiffening-piece or other solid base employed, as any pull on the hook would cause it to give and the bend or base to be in position to be released or moved out of the hole when the pull was released. 1

The stiffening-piece is preferably in position to lie against the rear of the animals leg, as it has been found that when in this position and made to fit this portion of the leg it cannot be readily turned or slipped around; but it is obvious that it maybe located elsewhere without departing from the spirit of my invention.

While I have described my invention as applied to an ankle-boot,or one designed to protect the pastern or fetlock joint, I do not wish to be limited thereto, as it may be applied with equally good results to protectors or boots intended to protect other parts of the leg. It is also obvious that the form or manher of attaching the book may be changed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new isv 1. In the herein-described horse-boot, the combination, with the body or protecting portion and straps for securing the same in position, of a stiffening-piece secured to one of said straps beneath a series of holes therein, and a hook on the other strap for engaging said holes, substantially as described.

2. In the herein-described horse-boot, the combination, with the body or protecting portion and straps for securing the same in position, of a grooved stilfening-piece secured to one of said straps beneath a series of holes therein, and a hook on the other strap for engaging said holes, the end of the hook lying in the said groove when so engaged, substan-' tially as described.

3. In the herein-described horse-boot, the

combination, with the body or protecting por- 1 tion and straps for securing the same in position, of a series of holes in one of said straps, having a piece of metal beneath the same, and a hook on the other strap, having its end turned slightly outward, whereby the bend of 20 said hook is caused to abut against the wall of the hole with which it is in engagement and prevent its accidental release, substantially as 

